The Los Angeles Angels have shipped the number 15 overall pick in the past MLB draft to the San Francisco Giants for salary relief of Zack Cozart’s contract and other cash considerations. So, what did the Giants “buy” and what did the Angels “sell”?
Will Wilson was a multi-year standout on a quality North Carolina State club and is a better player than his tools would suggest. He is far from an impressive athlete as he runs like a first baseman, but his instincts in the field allow him to be at least an average defender at short. The arm isn’t special but it is definitely enough to stick on the left side and will stick at short although second might be where he fits best.
At the plate he has sneaky pop, hitting 31 home runs over the past two seasons in college and then hit five over 46 games in the Pioneer League. He makes good contact although he will chase a bit too much. There is a rather significant leg kick that, along with his knack to chase the ball out of the zone, will result in an adjustment likely needed when he reaches the higher minors. He does have enough bat control to hit for a solid average and he manages to utilize his legs to get to balls lower in the zone and still drive the ball. I anticipate the plate discipline to get better with pro coaching and that adjustment to come quickly.
In the end I don’t think Wilson will be anything more than an average regular, but he could certainly develop into a well above average utility guy who can fill in at a handful of positions. He is also rather polished, so a cameo in the big league at the end of 2021 is not out of the question.
THREE QUARTER SLOT 